The 2024 Jindabyne Local Australia Day Citizenship Awards were presented today to a wonderful group of community orientated recipients. Australia Day Ambassador Geoff Coombes OAM and Snowy Monaro Regional Council Mayor Chris Hanna both spoke at the ceremony and presented the awards.
Doctor Steve Breathour was awarded the Local Citizen of the Year for his outstanding contribution to the community over many decades.
Dr Steve has been a stalwart of the Thredbo, Perisher and Jindabyne communities for over 40 years.
He has contributed to the care and quality of generations of local residents. Dr Breathour’s bedside manner is famous - almost legendary. He always provides compassionate if not direct to the point advice to those under his care. He has given a career of service to the local community and was there to offer his service and professional care during the Thredbo disaster, bush fires and flood and the covid pandemic.
His love of the area began, like many, through skiing in his early life followed by ski patrol and his medical practice from 1983 to now. Through his diligence Dr Steve has created a legacy through the Thredbo, Perisher and Snow Mountains Medical Centre at Nuggets Crossing.
He has helped train dozens of medical students and junior doctors in rural health care over the years, a number of whom continue to practice in the local community. In 2023 Dr Steve was honoured by The Thredbo Historical Society as one of the faces of Thredbo. This award acknowledged his service to Thredbo and the area especially in regard to the ski industry.
Special Achievement - Business
Birchwood Café -Kane and Laura Stamp
In 2021 Laura and Kane Stamp purchased the Birchwood Cafe and have continued to improve and add to this great offer. Both Kane and Laura have worked in the industry for many years in some wonderful locations and businesses. The chance to own their own business in the place they love to call home was a dream come true. A place to put their own Stamp on things.
Laura and Kane continually strive to show Imagination and enthusiasm in their cafe business and help other locals by using quality local produce from up to 17 local businesses. A big Win, Win for our community.
Birchwood Cafe has recently received two prestigious regional industry awards for their food and beverage business.
Special Achievement - Community Event
Jindabyne Park Run - Rosalie Brooke
Parkrun is a free, positive, welcoming, and inclusive community activity event where you can walk, jog, run, volunteer, or spectate. Parkrun is 5km and takes place every Saturday morning. There is no time limit, and no one finishes last, and everyone is welcome. These events have been running around the world for 20 years, and in Jindabyne since 2018.
One of the unique aspects of Parkrun is that you can participate for free in any town that you are visiting on a Saturday morning. No fuss just get out there and do it.
The regular event brings many tourists to Jindabyne as it is a well-known challenge to tick off Parkruns starting with each letter of the alphabet and J’s are few and far between.
The event is entirely run by volunteers so offers a good networking opportunity for people new to town and a great experience to younger people who want to contribute to the community and learn the ropes.
As the event director Rosalie has the unenviable task of sourcing and overseeing the number of volunteers needed to make this event successful each and every week. If you have an interest in helping, I am sure Rosalie would love to talk.
Special Achievement – Sport and Community
Noeline Dahlen- Maclean
Noeline is known for her years maintaining Kunama Art Gallery or for her tireless campaign for people with disabilities fighting to improve everything from parking and access for those who need it.
Noeline has a son with a degenerative neurological disability and knows full well the challenges of living in a world when you have a disability. She is driven, caring, passionate and focused and now in her 90s is still breaking down barriers. She is a poster girl for positive aging.
Noeline represented Australia in The Empire Games at Auckland in 1950 in the sport of diving - winning a silver medal. She has participated and won numerous events in Masters swimming and other prestigious events over many decades.
In October 2023 Noeline competed in the Australian Masters Games in Swimming in Adelaide. She came away with four gold medals and did this just 10 weeks after having a pacemaker fitted.
Even though she has trouble walking and even getting to the event she wanted to inspire her son and others to be courageous and not let obstacles, including age and ill health stop them from achieving their goals.
Noeline has a lifetime of accolades in both the Sporting and Community including, CWA, Probus, Readers & writers Association, Disabled Association, Arts Association.
Special Achievement – Community
Erin Lee
Erin works, runs a side business that creates beautiful products, has a wonderful talent of singing and volunteers her valuable time to multiple organisations to ensure our community gets to experience fun things.
Erin is a tireless volunteer for a number of local events.
Parkrun would not be what it is without her on hand and behind the scenes work. It could be carrying signs, setting up the event, organising rosters or posting on their Social Media page to keep all informed.
The Jindabyne Lions Annual Easter Art Show is another of Erin’s committees where she helps with administration, on hands running as well as being an artist contributor. Her IT skills come in handy for all the data entry required for this event.
Erin is famous for her vocal skills and is a member of Beautiful Imperfection, now known as Cool Change, who have performed at the Carols in the Park for many years as well as at local Christmas functions such as Postman Johns Lights Show, The Seniors Christmas Party and various Christmas Functions .
Erin is a committed Community quiet achiever. What she says she will do she does and always does it well.
Special Achievement Arts and Culture
Jindabyne High School
High School Musical Principal Kelly Henretty
In May 2023 Jindabyne High School presented the stage show High School Musical much to the delight and entertainment of the school and wider community. This award honours all those who made the Musical happen, and as it pulled so many people from all areas together it was a great triumph in education and community melding. Productions of this magnitude do not “just happen”, it involved over 100 students, teaching staff and community members in all aspects of production.
This musical was special and will be remembered for a long time. The musical was a resounding success and ticked so many art, cultural, education and community boxes. Some of these include Community engagement by bringing together a platform of people from all ages fostering a sense of togetherness.
Thank you, Kelly as the School Principal, and to the Jindabyne High School wider community for making a huge effort to bring together the school and community to put on such a wonderful event that will be remembered by the school for years to come.
Jindabyne Environmental Award
Vickii Wallace
The catch cry “Let the Snowy River Flow” is well known in our region which is famous for the Man from Snowy River and all things mountains from Snow Sports, Wild Brumbies and magnificent mountains, lake and plains views.
Vickii is woven tightly into the fabric of the Snowy Mountains Community. She has advocated for decades for the health of the Snowy River and is about to be rewarded with a “soon to be announced” and very welcomed environmental decision.
Her positive and unrelenting work on changes to the Snowy Water Licence review is bringing this up to date with current needs and will bring with it may benefits for the community in the area.
Vickii is a born diplomat and an excellent communicator who is clear with facts and very passionate but patient in achieving her goals.
Vickii is founding member of the Snowy River Alliance, President of the Dalgety District Community Association and has held numerous offices on the Dalgety Show Society – a firm favourite event in our area.
Young Sportsperson of the Year
Abbey Wilson
Abbey is a snowboarder and even more specific a very successful Snowboard boardercross competitor. Abbey has recently competed in her dream event in the 2024 Gangwon Youth Olympics in Korea, winning a Bronze medal in the Snowboard cross mixed teams with William Martin.
A huge achievement for a 17-year-old.
Abbey is a positive athlete and approaches every competition with enthusiasm and cheers on her teammates. She trains hard, both on snow and in the gym. She supports younger athletes and actively helps promote her sport both in Australia and overseas.
Abbey is the youngest member of the NSWIS and Australian Snowboard cross team. During the last 12 months she has competed in a large number of events including the Europa Cup Series, the Junior World Champs the icing on the cake of a very big year, the recent Youth Olympics in Korea.
Abbey has diligently continued her school studies during this time and this alone is no mean feat.
Sportsperson of the Year
Tim Greville
Tim is the founder of Snowy Mountains Nordic which is a Community Cross Country Ski club run out of Perisher that welcomes Snowy Mountains residents of all ages and abilities. The group performs well on the national and international stage especially at Interschools and has representatives on the current Youth Olympic and National Development Teams.
Tim represented Australia as a junior and his goal is to create a grassroots organisation that allows local juniors and masters to discover the sport of Cross County Skiing. He does this by organising training, races and events in winter and roller skiing during other months. This is a huge commitment that deserves recognition both inside and outside the sport.
Tim believes that you must love your sport and have fun while fulfilling your passion and goals. His inspiration and actions have helped many from our community go on to Australian team representation thus fulfilling both his and their aspirations.
Tim’s voice is one of the loudest cheering on competitors and encouraging and pushing them to get the best results. He offers the skills and support to others to keep on going. His dedication to the sport, passion, knowledge, and the willingness to pass this on is what makes him a leader in the Cross-Country Ski world.
Young Citizen of the Year
Anika Bailey
Anika Bailey is a rare and inspirational member of the Jindabyne Community which she has demonstrated by her exceptional commitment to service, leadership and excellence across various domains.
2023 was busy year for Anika – some of her many achievements included International Representation at the G20 THINKQ in New Delhi, Chief Petty Officer and Advisory Council Member of the Australian Cadets, attending the Tri -Service Cadet leadership Summit, Squad leader at ANZAC and Remembrance Day, Vice-Captain at Jindabyne High School and being awarded the Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork award in recognition of her positive community work.
Anika was also involved in dance concerts, the school musical production and represented at the State Drama Festival. As a senior cheer leader, she supported our local rugby league and rugby union teams. That shows wonderful community spirit.
These are just some of Anika's achievements and is an exceptional example of excellence in leadership and active involvement is our community. Her dedication has made a positive impact on those around her, and her future is sure to continue in this vein.